Aerated bucket for live bait

Abstract

A container for live bait is provided with a bait retrieval assembly of readily available structural components which are combined in an unexpectedly useful manner to allow all operations to be carried out using one hand only. The container, which is closed with a substantially rigid lid, may be of arbitrary cross-section but is preferably either cylindrical or tapered. The bait retrieval assembly includes an L-shaped frame comprising a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal members on which a bowl-shaped colander is supported. The vertical members are reciprocable through openings in the lid. The vertical members are required to be in mirror image relationship with one another, and laterally spaced-apart so that the distance between the longitudinal center lines of the members in the bottom portion of the L is less than the distance between longitudinal center lines of the members in the upper portion of the L. The critical wedge-shaped configuration of the vertical members of the L-shaped frame allows the colander, with the bait in it, to be temporarily locked in position, above or near the surface of the water for easy access with one hand. The container is preferably provided with an internal drain assembly and an aerator.

1. A container for live bait of chosen size, the container including a bait retrieval assembly and comprising:
 a substantially rigid lid removably disposed on an upper periphery of the container, the container having an internal area with a cross-section; 
 the lid having an access opening having a diameter adapted for the passage of a single human hand, and a flap hingedly connected to the lid so as to allow access of the hand into the container; 
 the bait retrieval assembly comprising an L-shaped frame including a pair of spaced-apart rectilinear vertical members having upper ends and lower ends, and a pair of spaced-apart horizontal rectilinear members attached to the lower ends of the vertical members in substantially orthogonal relationship therewith; 
 a bowl-shaped colander or perforated basket supported on the horizontal rectilinear members; 
 the L-shaped frame being vertically reciprocable relative to the lid by up-and-down movement of the vertical members through apertures in the lid; 
 the vertical members being in mirror image relationship with one another, and spaced so that a distance between longitudinal center lines of the vertical members at the lower ends is less than a distance between longitudinal center lines of the vertical members at the upper ends; 
 the apertures in the lid being spaced-apart at a distance therebetween corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal center lines of the vertical member at the upper ends which are slidable therein, but being spaced apart at the distance therebetween which is greater than the distance between the longitudinal center lines at the lower ends; 
 the colander or perforated basket being insertable in the container, the colander or perforated basket having a periphery adapted to be sufficiently closely adjacent an internal periphery of the container to prevent the escape of the bait; 
 whereby the L-shaped frame may be raised, and a bait of choice in the colander or perforated basket retrieved using only one hand. 
 
   
   
     2. The container of  claim 1  wherein the vertical members are connected to each other at the upper ends thereof with a removable rectilinear cross-member so as to allow, when removed, the upper ends of the vertical members to be withdrawn downwards through the lid. 
   
   
     3. The container of  claim 2  including an aerator including a battery means for operation thereof. 
   
   
     4. The container of  claim 3  including a drain assembly contained within the container and projecting through a sidewall of the container for a distance less than 2.54 cm, the drain assembly including an on/off valve having a vertical valve stem protruding through the lid and adapted to open and close the valve from above the lid. 
   
   
     5. The container of  claim 4  including a flexible connection means connecting the flap to the removable rectilinear cross-member, insulation covering an exterior circumferential surface of the container, and wherein the aerator includes an air-dispersing means adapted to be submerged in water. 
   
   
     6. The container of  claim 3  wherein the container is a cylindrical bucket having a cross-sectional area which is the same near a bottom of the bucket and near a top of the bucket; and,
 the colander or perforated basket has a periphery which is closely adjacent the internal periphery of the container which is defined by a sidewall of the bucket. 
 
   
   
     7. The container of  claim 6  including a flexible means connecting the flap to the removable rectilinear cross-member, wherein the periphery of the colander or perforated basket engages an inner surface of the inner walls of the bucket, the aerator includes an air-dispersing means adapted to be submerged in water. 
   
   
     8. The container of  claim 7  including a drain assembly contained within the container and projecting through the sidewall of the bucket for a distance less than 2.54 cm, the drain assembly including an on/off valve having a vertical valve stem protruding through the lid and adapted to open and close the valve from above the lid. 
   
   
     9. The container of  claim 8  including insulation covering an exterior circumferential surface of the bucket. 
   
   
     10. The container of  claim 2  wherein the container is a tapered bucket having a cross-sectional area which is smaller near a bottom of the tapered bucket than at a top of the tapered bucket; and,
 the colander or perforated basket has a periphery provided with an outwardly projecting peripheral skirt having a radial width such that a periphery of the skirt is closely adjacent an inner surface of the tapered bucket so as to allow the colander or perforated basket to be slidably reciprocable in the tapered bucket from a position in the bottom of the tapered bucket to a position near the top of the tapered bucket. 
 
   
   
     11. The container of  claim 10  including an aerator comprising an air dispersing means adapted to be submerged in water and a battery means for operation of the aerator. 
   
   
     12. The container of  claim 11  including a drain assembly contained within the tapered bucket and projecting through a sidewall of the tapered bucket for a distance less than 2.54 cm, the drain assembly including an on/off valve having a vertical valve stem protruding through the lid and adapted to open and close the valve from above the lid. 
   
   
     13. The container of  claim 12  including a flexible connection means connecting the flap to the removable rectilinear cross-member, insulation covering an exterior circumferential surface of the tapered bucket, wherein the aerator includes an air-dispersing means adapted to be submerged in water.